Flat Rock bike path to wind through Downriver

Flat Rock— After almost eight years and some hurdles, the city of Flat Rock is making strides toward a trail project to link into 24 miles of bike paths through Downriver.

The city expects to request bids by year's end to begin work on a 2-mile bike path to link the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority Metroparks to the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative, said George Mans, Flat Rock economic development director. The new path will start at Huroc Park in Flat Rock and run through Huron Township and Oakwoods Metropark. The project hasn't been without its hurdles. The city recently had to purchase a portion of private land in Huron Township that was headed into tax foreclosure.

The city originally wanted only an easement, but found out that the owners of the property, who have moved to Florida, were in tax foreclosure to Wayne County.

So the city bid on the land for about $5,000, Mans said. Without it, the city would have had to redesign the project, said Flat Rock Mayor Jonathan Dropiewski. Work is expected to begin in 2012.